Expandable shelter system

ABSTRACT

Expandable shelter systems and associated methods are described herein. In one aspect, an expandable shelter system can include a system container, where the container defines a container cavity when the system container is in a collapsed form; an expandable container section positioned within the defined cavity or forming the defined cavity when the system container is in the collapsed form, and including at least one of an expandable container front, an expandable container rear, an expandable container first side, an expandable container second side, an expandable container bottom, or an expandable container top; and an actuation system coupled to the system container and the expandable container section, where the actuation system is configured or adapted to reposition the expandable container section from the collapsed form to an expanded form, where a dimension of the cavity is greater in the expanded form compared to the collapsed form.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and benefit of the filing date ofU.S. Application No. 63/115,098 filed Nov. 18, 2020, and titled“Expandable Shelter System,” the contents of which are incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an expandable shelter system, and inparticular to a shelter system that is capable of being automaticallyexpanded and deployed as desired.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

An expandable shelter system is a shelter system that may increase inphysical dimensions once deployed. These systems can include a collapsedform, which can minimize the dimensions of the system. This can bebeneficial in the transport of the system, storage of the system, andthe like. Expansion of the system can include the increase of at leastone dimension of the system, such as a width, length, or height of thesystem, as compared to the collapsed form. Expansion is typicallyperformed manually, where a user utilizes a winch or some othermechanism to adjust the height, width, etc. of the shelter system. Thiscan be undesirable due to a number or reasons, including user error,possible user injury, and manual operation typically requires more thanone user for successful expansion.

SUMMARY

Expandable shelter systems and associated methods are described herein.In one aspect, an expandable shelter system can include a systemcontainer including a container front, a container rear, a containerfirst side, a container second side, a container bottom, and a containertop, where the container front, the container rear, the container firstside, the container second side, the container bottom, and the containertop define a container cavity when the system container is in acollapsed form; an expandable container section positioned within thedefined cavity or forming the defined cavity when the system containeris in the collapsed form, and including at least one of an expandablecontainer front, an expandable container rear, an expandable containerfirst side, an expandable container second side, an expandable containerbottom, or an expandable container top; and an actuation system coupledto the system container and the expandable container section, where theactuation system is configured or adapted to reposition the expandablecontainer section from the collapsed form to an expanded form, where adimension of the cavity is greater in the expanded form compared to thecollapsed form.

This aspect can include a variety of embodiments. In one embodiment, thesystem container further includes a beam statically disposed in thesystem container, where the actuation system is coupled to the systemcontainer via the beam. In some cases, the actuation system is hingeablycoupled to the beam.

In another embodiment, the actuation system includes a hydrauliccylinder defining a cavity; a rod translatable through the cavity; and asurface lifting arm hingeably coupled to a distal end of the rod. Insome cases, when the system container is in the collapsed form, the rodis disposed within the cavity, and a length of the surface lifting armis substantially parallel to a length of the hydraulic cylinder. In somecases, when the system container is in the expanded form, the rod isdisposed substantially externally to the hydraulic cylinder such that aproximal end of the rod is disposed within the cavity, and a length ofthe surface lifting arm is substantially perpendicular to a length of abeam statically disposed within the system container which the actuationsystem is coupled to. In some cases, the surface lifting arm includes afirst end and a second end, where at least the first end maintainscontact with the expandable container section during the collapsed formand the expanded form.

In another embodiment, a planar surface of the expandable containerfront, the expandable container rear, the expandable container firstside, the expandable container second side, the expandable containerbottom, or the expandable container top is adjacent and parallel to aplanar surface of the container front, the container rear, the containerfirst side, the container second side, the container rear, or thecontainer top when in the collapsed form. In some cases, the planarsurface of the expandable container front, the expandable containerrear, the expandable container first side, the expandable containersecond side, the expandable container bottom, or the expandablecontainer top is substantially perpendicular to the planar surface ofthe container front, the container rear, the container first side, thecontainer second side, the container rear, or the container top when inthe expanded form.

In another embodiment, the actuation system includes a roof actuationsystem, and the expandable container section includes at least theexpandable roof. In some cases, the expandable roof includes one of thecontainer front, the container rear, the container first side, or thecontainer second side.

In another embodiment, the actuation system includes a floor actuationsystem, and the expandable container section includes at least theexpandable floor. In some cases, the expandable floor includes one ofthe container front, the container rear, the container first side, orthe container second side.

In another embodiment, the expandable container section includes theexpandable top and the expandable floor, the actuation system is coupledto the system container and the expandable top; and an other actuationsystem coupled to the system container and the expandable floor. In somecases, a planar surface of the expandable top is adjacent and parallelto a planar surface of the expandable floor when in the collapsed form.In some cases, a planar surface of the expandable top is substantiallyparallel and nonadjacent to a planar surface of the expandable floorwhen in the expanded form.

In another aspect, a method of transitioning the expandable sheltersystem between the collapsed form to the expanded form includespressurizing a hydraulic cylinder of the actuation system in a pushdirection; and translating a rod from a cavity defined by the hydrauliccylinder such that a length of the actuation system expands andtransitions the expandable container section from the collapsed form tothe expanded form.

This aspect can include a variety of embodiments. In one embodiment, themethod can further include pressurizing the hydraulic cylinder of theactuation system in a pull direction; and retracting the rod into thecavity of the hydraulic cylinder, such that the length of the liftingarm retracts and transitions the expandable container section from theexpanded form to the collapsed form.

In another embodiment, the method can further include depressurizing thehydraulic cylinder of the actuation system; and retracting the rod intothe cavity of the hydraulic cylinder, such that the length of thelifting arm retracts and transitions the expandable container sectionfrom the expanded form to the collapsed form.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present inventionwill be more fully understood from the following detailed description ofillustrative embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings in which like elements are numbered alike in the severalfigures.

FIG. 1 shows an orthogonal view of an expandable shelter systemaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of an expandable shelter systemaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 shows a detailed view of an actuation system for an expandableshelter system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 shows an isometric view of an expandable shelter system accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 shows an orthogonal view of an expandable shelter systemaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of an expandable shelter systemaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of an actuation system for anexpandable shelter system according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 8 shows an orthogonal view of an expandable shelter systemaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional view of an actuation system for anexpandable shelter system according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 10 shows a cross-sectional view of an actuation system for anexpandable shelter system according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 11 shows an orthogonal view of an expandable shelter system in anexpanded form according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 shows an orthogonal view of an expandable shelter systemaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 13 shows a detailed view of an actuation system for an expandableshelter system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 14 shows an isometric view of an expandable shelter systemaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 15 shows an isometric view of an expandable shelter systemaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 16 shows a detailed view of an actuation system for an expandableshelter system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 17 shows a detailed view of an actuation system for an expandableshelter system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 18 shows a detailed view of an actuation system for an expandableshelter system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 19 shows a detailed view of a lifting arm for an actuation systemaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 20 shows an orthogonal view of an expandable shelter systemaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 21 shows a cross-sectional view of an expandable shelter systemaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 22 shows an isometric view of an expandable shelter systemaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 23 shows a detailed view of an actuation system for an expandableshelter system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 24 shows an orthogonal view of an expandable shelter systemaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 25 shows a cross-sectional view of an expandable shelter systemaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 26 shows a detailed view of an actuation system for an expandableshelter system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 27 shows an orthogonal view of an expandable shelter systemaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 28 shows a cross-sectional view of an expandable shelter systemaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 29 shows a cross-sectional view of an expandable shelter systemaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 30 shows an orthogonal view of an expandable shelter systemaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 31 shows an orthogonal view of an expandable shelter systemaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 32 shows a detailed view of an actuation system for an expandableshelter system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 33 shows an isometric view of an expandable shelter systemaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 34 shows an isometric view of an expandable shelter systemaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 35 shows a detailed view of an actuation system for an expandableshelter system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 36 shows a detailed view of an actuation system for an expandableshelter system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 37 shows a detailed view of a lifting arm for an actuation systemaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows an expandable shelter system 100 according to an embodimentof the present invention. The system 100 can be, for example, a 3-in-1system, where the dimensions of the system can expand to approximately 3times its collapsed size. FIG. 1 depicts an orthogonal top view of theexpandable shelter system 100, wherein the width and length of thesystem 100 in its collapsed form can be seen.

FIG. 2 depicts a cross-sectional view of an expandable shelter system100. Each side of the system 100 can include an exterior panel 205 andmultiple interior panels 210. In collapsed form, the interior panel 205forms an exterior sidewall of the container system. In collapsed form,the exterior panel 205 overlaps with the interior panels 210. Thisoverlap can form a cavity between the multiple wall elements and thestructural column, where an actuation system 215 can be located. Theactuation system 215 can automatically expand the system, such that theexterior sidewalls 205 actuate (e.g., hinge) away from the interiorsidewalls 210, thereby allowing the system dimensions to expand. In somecases, both the interior sidewalls 210 and exterior sidewall 205 areexpandable, for example if the exterior panel 205 is an expandable roof,and an interior panel 210 is a longwall or sidewall, and the like.

FIG. 3 depicts an actuation system 300 according to a first exemplaryembodiment for the expandable shelter system 100. The actuation system300 can include a roof lifting arm 305 and a hydraulic cylinder 310. Thehydraulic cylinder can be an example of a telescoping actuatorimplemented within the actuation system 300, however, other forms oftelescoping actuators can be implemented as well, such as pneumaticactuators, electric linear actuators, and the like. Below is an exampleprocess for expanding the expandable shelter system.

Step 1—The roof lifting arm 305 can actuate the expandable roof 325 viapressure inputted into the hydraulic cylinder 310. The roof lifting arm305 can include a roller bearing 320, or in some cases a pivot point ona bracket with a fixed position relative to the expandable roof 325. Inthe case of a pivot point/fixed bracket implementation, the roof liftingarm 305 can also include an additional link arm similar to the floorlifting system discussed below.

When deployed, the hydraulic cylinder 310 may extend a rod or piston to“push” the expandable roof 325 from its collapsed state to an expandedstate. The expandable roof 325 may hinge or pivot, such that the loweredge of the expandable roof (e.g., the lower edge when the expandableroof 325 is collapsed) hinges or pivots away from the column 330. Theexpandable roof 325 may be pivoted such that the roof length or width issubstantially perpendicular to the length or width of its collapsedstate, or to the length of the column 330. In some cases, the expandableroof 325 may be hinged or pivoted past a perpendicular position, such asto a maximum extension length of the hydraulic cylinder 310. This mayprovide additional clearance for the other collapsed walls/floors todeploy.

In some cases, an end of the roof lifting arm 305 can include a pivotpoint, such as pivot point 1310 shown in FIG. 13. The pivot point 1310can maintain contact with a vertical column or interior wall as thehydraulic cylinder 310 expands. In some other cases, the actuationsystem to deploy a roof can include components discussed with respect tothe floor actuation system described below with reference to Step 2.

As further shown in FIG. 3, the roof lifting arm 305 of the actuationsystem 300 is in a collapsed form. The roof lifting arm 305 is disposedbetween, and substantially parallel to, a column 330 and the expandableroof 325. Further, as depicted in FIG. 3, the hydraulic cylinder 310 canbe nested within the roof lifting arm 305 when in collapsed form. Forexample, the roof lifting arm 305 as depicted in more detail in FIG. 19.The roof lifting arm 305 can be formed of two sidewalls and at least oneconnecting face between the sidewalls, which can define a cavity ordepression within the length of the roof lifting arm 305. Whencollapsed, at least a portion of the length of the hydraulic cylinder310 can be disposed within this defined cavity or depression of the rooflifting arm 305, which can minimize the amount of space required for theactuation system when in collapsed form.

As the hydraulic cylinder 310 expands, the expandable roof 325 can pivotaway from the column 330, with the pivot point 1310 of the roof liftingarm 305 maintaining contact with a vertical column or interior wall. Theexpandable roof 325 can, when expanded, be substantially perpendicularto the column 330. Likewise, collapsing the expandable roof 325 can beinitiated by de-pressurizing the hydraulic cylinder 310, oralternatively by pressurizing the hydraulic cylinder 310 in the opposing(pull) direction. This decreases the length of the hydraulic cylinder310 (e.g., retracts a rod or piston back into the body of the hydrauliccylinder), which in turn rotates the roof lifting arm 305 to besubstantially parallel to the hydraulic cylinder 310, thereby foldingthe expandable roof 325 back towards the column 330.

Step 2—Once the expandable roof is expanded, an expandable floor 345 canthen be deployed via a floor actuation system, such as those depicted inFIG. 23. FIG. 23 depicts an actuation system 2300, and can be amagnified view of area K in FIG. 21. The actuation system 2300 caninclude a floor actuation system, which can further include a hydrauliccylinder 2305 and a floor lifting arm 2310. In collapsed form, thehydraulic cylinder 2305 and the floor lifting arm 2310 can besubstantially parallel (e.g., the lengths of the hydraulic cylinder andfloor lifting arm) to an I-beam column 2315 (or other type of column,such as a formed column) and an expandable floor 2325. The hydrauliccylinder 2305 can be rotationally coupled to the column 2315, forexample via a mounting bracket 2320.

In some cases, the hydraulic cylinder 2305 can maintain the expandablefloor 2325 in its collapsed form while pressurized. When de-pressurized,the hydraulic cylinder 2305 can expand due to the weight of theexpandable floor 2325. The floor lifting arm 2310 can be coupled to thehydraulic cylinder 2305 via a hinge point 2335, allowing the floorlifting arm 2310 to rotate with respect to the hydraulic cylinder 2305at the hinge point 2335. In some cases, the hydraulic cylinder 2305 canbe bidirectional, such that the hydraulic cylinder 2305 can both lowerand raise the expandable floor 2325 hydraulically.

The floor lifting arm 2310 can also be coupled to the column 2315 via apivot arm 2340. The floor lifting arm can also rotate with respect tothe column 2315 via the pivot arm 2340. Thus, as the hydraulic cylinder2305 expands, the pivot points of the floor lifting arm 2310 allow for acontrolled rotation of the floor lifting arm 2310 with respect to thehydraulic cylinder 2305 and the column 2315. The expanded form for theexpandable floor 2325 can coincide with slightly less than the maximumlength for the expanded hydraulic cylinder 2305, which can furthercoincide with the expandable floor 2325 being substantiallyperpendicular to the column 2315. This expanded form is depicted in FIG.32. In some cases, the expandable floor 2325 may be expanded pastperpendicular (e.g., 1°, 3°, 5°, 10° past perpendicular, and the like)which can coincide with a maximum extension of the hydraulic cylinder2305. This may facilitate the deployment of walls yet to be expanded.

An example of a floor lifting arm is floor lifting arm 3700 depicted inFIG. 37. The floor lifting arm 3700 can include a first end and a secondend. The first end can be hingeably coupled to a pivot arm 3710, whichcan in turn be coupled to a mounting bracket 3715. The mounting bracket3715 can be coupled to a column, such as column 2315 of FIG. 23. Thus,the floor actuation system can be coupled to a vertical column by atleast two points: via an end of the hydraulic cylinder; and a first endof the floor lifting arm (such as floor lifting arm 3700). The secondend of the floor lifting arm can be coupled to the expandable floor. Therod of the hydraulic cylinder can be hingeably coupled to the liftingarm at the hydraulic linking pin. As the rod expands from the hydrauliccylinder, the floor lifting arm can hinge about the mounting bracket3715, and the rotation can be further controlled by the rotation allowedby the hydraulic linkage pin and the pivot arm 3710. Further, while thisexample is discussed with reference to the expandable floor, this typeof lifting arm can be implemented by the roof lifting system describedabove with reference to Step 1.

Reverting the expandable floor 2325 into the collapsed form can beperformed by pressurizing the hydraulic cylinder 2305 in the pulldirection. This retracts the rod into the length of the cylinder,causing the floor lifting arm 2310 to rotate towards the column 2315,thereby retracting the expandable floor 2325 towards the column 2315.

Step 3—Once the expandable floor is deployed (expanded), the long wallcan be deployed, such as the expandable long wall 415 of FIG. 4 or 2210of FIG. 22. The longwall may be disposed to be flush with the expandablefloor (e.g., floor 415) when the expandable floor is in a collapsedform. The long wall can also be flush with the expandable floor when thefloor itself is expanded, as discussed above with reference to Step 2.Further, the expandable long wall can be coupled to the floor via ahinge or pivot point at a distal end of the floor panel. So, forexample, when the floor is collapsed, the hinge or pivot point may be atthe top of the expandable shelter system. When the floor is deployed,the hinge or pivot point can be at the distal end of the floor withrespect to the expandable shelter system.

The expandable long wall can be configured to hinge or pivot away fromthe floor and become vertically disposed when in expanded form (e.g., toform a wall). The deployment or transition from collapsed to expandedforms may be performed or assisted by a set of gas springs, such as gasspring 315. The gas spring can be coupled to both the expandable floorand the expandable longwall. In some cases, at least one end of the gasspring can be hingeably or rotatably coupled to the longwall or floor.The gas spring can apply, when initiated, an expansive force between theexpandable floor and expandable longwall, which can facilitate the longwall's rotation from the expandable floor (e.g., towards vertical).Likewise, transitioning the expandable long wall from expanded tocollapsed can be performed by compressing the gas spring, which canallow for the expandable long wall to rotate back towards the expandablefloor. In some cases, expanding, collapsing, or both, of the expandablelong wall can be further facilitated manually.

Step 4—Once the expandable long wall is deployed, the sidewall can thenbe deployed, such as sidewall 420. The sidewalls may be hingeablycoupled to a beam of the shelter system, such as I-beam column 330. Oncethe expandable floor is deployed, the side walls can be freely rotatedabout the hinge. The sidewalls can swing out and away from the originaldimensions of the shelter system. In some cases, this hinging can befacilitated by gas springs, similar to the expandable long walldiscussed above, or in some cases may be facilitated manually.

Once the sidewalls are deployed, the sidewalls, expandable floor,expandable roof, expandable long wall, and the original dimensions ofthe shelter system can define a cavity larger than the original cavity.In some cases, the expandable roof and/or the expandable floor may be“overextended”, such that the plane of the roof and/or floor are notparallel to the floor/roof of the shelter system. As discussed above,this may provide additional room for the long walls and sidewalls todeploy into the expanded form. In these cases, an additional step may berequired. This may include repositioning the expandable floor and/orexpandable roof to be substantially parallel with the other floor/roofportions of the expandable shelter system. This may includedepressurizing a hydraulic cylinder or pressurizing it in the opposite(pull) direction to align the expandable roof with the other roofportion. Similarly, this could include pressurizing a hydraulic cylinderto align the expandable floor with the other floor portion, and thelike.

FIG. 4 depicts the shelter system of FIG. 1 in expanded form. Each ofthe expandable roof 405 and expandable floor 415 can undergo similarprocesses as explained with reference to the expandable roof 325 of FIG.3. For example, each of the expandable roof 405, expandable long wall410, expandable floor 415, and expandable sidewall 420, when collapsed,can be substantially parallel to one another (e.g., the width dimensionsof each wall). As shown in FIG. 11, each expanded roof or floor caninclude a corresponding arm lift system (e.g., actuation systems 300 and2300), which can expand their corresponding roof or floor as describedwith reference to FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 depicts a front orthogonal view of a shelter system in acollapsed form. FIG. 6 depicts a cross-sectional view of the sheltersystem of FIG. 5. FIG. 6 illustrates a location of stowed hydraulicsbetween the inner and expandable walls, roof, floor, etc., of theshelter system.

FIG. 7 depicts a detail of the top cross-sectional view from FIG. 6, ofan actuation system according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure. The actuation system of FIG. 7 can be an example of theactuation system 300 discussed with reference to FIG. 3.

FIG. 8 depicts a top orthogonal view of a shelter system in a collapsedform. FIG. 9 depicts a cross-sectional view of the shelter system ofFIG. 8. FIG. 9 illustrates a location of stowed hydraulics between thecontainer columns and nested expandable walls, roof, floor, etc., of theshelter system.

FIG. 10 depicts a cross-sectional view of an actuation system accordingto an embodiment of the present invention. The actuation system of FIG.10 can be an example of the actuation system 300 discussed withreference to FIG. 3.

FIG. 11 depicts an orthogonal view of a shelter system in an expandedmode, for example with expandable roofs and floors, expanded viaactuation systems, such as actuation system described with reference toFIG. 3. FIG. 12 is an orthogonal view of the shelter system depicted inFIG. 11.

FIGS. 14 and 15 depict different isometric views of a shelter system inan expanded mode. FIG. 16 depicts a magnified view of area H of FIG. 14,which further depicts an actuation system for expanding the sheltersystem. Likewise, FIG. 17 depicts a magnified view of area I of FIG. 15,which further depicts an actuation system for expanding the sheltersystem.

FIG. 18 depicts an actuation system 300 according to an embodiment ofthe present disclosure. The actuation system 300 can be an example ofthe actuation system 300 of FIG. 3. FIG. 19 depicts a lifting arm 305 ofa roof actuation system according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure. The lifting arm 305 can be an example of the lifting arm 305of FIG. 3.

FIG. 20 depicts a top orthogonal view of a shelter system in a collapsedmode. FIG. 21 depicts a cross-sectional view of a shelter system in acollapsed mode. FIG. 22 depicts an isometric view of a shelter system inan expanded mode, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.In this expanded mode, one side of the shelter is expanded. For example,the roof 2205, long wall 2210, and floor 2215 can be expanded through ahydraulic cylinder and roof lifting arm (not shown), the gas spring2225, and the hydraulic cylinder 2220 and floor lifting arm 2230,respectively.

FIG. 24 depicts a front orthogonal view of a shelter system in acollapsed mode. FIG. 25 depicts a cross-sectional view of the sheltersystem of FIG. 24, which further illustrates a location of a floorlifting arm, according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG.26 depicts a magnified view of area M of FIG. 25, which illustratesadditional details of the floor actuation system. The floor actuationsystem shown in FIG. 26 can be an example of the floor actuation systemof FIG. 23.

FIG. 27 depicts a top orthogonal view of a shelter system. FIG. 28depicts a cross-sectional view of the shelter system depicted in FIG.27. FIG. 29 depicts a magnified view of area 0 of FIG. 28. Further, FIG.29 depicts a stowage location for a floor actuation system when theshelter system is in a collapsed mode.

FIG. 30 depicts a front orthogonal view of a shelter system in anexpanded mode, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Asshown, the system can include a floor actuation system and a roofactuation system, which can be examples of the floor actuation systemdescribed in FIG. 23, and roof actuation system of FIG. 3. FIG. 31depicts an orthogonal view of the shelter system depicted in FIG. 30.FIG. 32 depicts a magnified view of area P of FIG. 31. Further, FIG. 32depicts a floor actuation system in an expanded mode, which can includea lifting arm 3205, a hydraulic cylinder 3210, and a pivot arm 3215. Thefloor actuation system can be an example of the floor actuation systemof FIG. 23.

FIGS. 33 and 34 depict isometric views of a shelter system in anexpanded mode. FIGS. 35 and 36 depict magnified views of the sheltersystem depicted in FIGS. 33 and 34. For example, FIG. 35 depicts amagnified view of area Q from FIG. 33, and FIG. 36 depicts a magnifiedview of area R from FIG. 33. FIGS. 35 and 36 further depict flooractuation systems in an expanded mode, according to embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

Although the invention has been described in terms of exemplaryembodiments, it is not limited thereto. Rather, the appended claimsshould be construed broadly to include other variants and embodiments ofthe invention which may be made by those skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the scope and range of equivalents of the invention. Thisdisclosure is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of theembodiments discussed herein.

An apparatus and system as described above with reference to theforegoing description and appended drawings is hereby claimed.

1. An expandable shelter system, comprising: a system containerincluding a container front, a container rear, a container first side, acontainer second side, a container bottom, and a container top, whereinthe container front, the container rear, the container first side, thecontainer second side, the container bottom, and the container topdefine a container cavity when the system container is in a collapsedform; an expandable container section positioned within the definedcavity or forming the defined cavity when the system container is in thecollapsed form, and comprising at least one of an expandable containerfront, an expandable container rear, an expandable container first side,an expandable container second side, an expandable container bottom, oran expandable container top; and an actuation system coupled to thesystem container and the expandable container section, wherein theactuation system is configured or adapted to reposition the expandablecontainer section from the collapsed form to an expanded form, wherein adimension of the cavity is greater in the expanded form compared to thecollapsed form.
 2. The expandable shelter system of claim 1, wherein thesystem container further comprises: a beam statically disposed in thesystem container, wherein the actuation system is coupled to the systemcontainer via the beam.
 3. The expandable shelter system of claim 2,wherein the actuation system is hingeably coupled to the beam.
 4. Theexpandable shelter system of claim 1, wherein the actuation systemcomprises: a hydraulic cylinder defining a cavity; a rod translatablethrough the cavity; and a surface lifting arm hingeably coupled to adistal end of the rod.
 5. The expandable shelter system of claim 4,wherein, when the system container is in the collapsed form, the rod isdisposed within the cavity, and a length of the surface lifting arm issubstantially parallel to a length of the hydraulic cylinder.
 6. Theexpandable shelter system of claim 4, wherein, when the system containeris in the expanded form, the rod is disposed substantially externally tothe hydraulic cylinder such that a proximal end of the rod is disposedwithin the cavity, and a length of the surface lifting arm issubstantially perpendicular to a length of a beam statically disposedwithin the system container which the actuation system is coupled to. 7.The expandable shelter system of claim 4, wherein the surface liftingarm comprises a first end and a second end, wherein at least the firstend maintains contact with the expandable container section during thecollapsed form and the expanded form.
 8. The expandable shelter systemof claim 1, wherein a planar surface of the expandable container front,the expandable container rear, the expandable container first side, theexpandable container second side, the expandable container bottom, orthe expandable container top is adjacent and parallel to a planarsurface of the container front, the container rear, the container firstside, the container second side, the container rear, or the containertop when in the collapsed form.
 9. The expandable shelter system ofclaim 8, wherein the planar surface of the expandable container front,the expandable container rear, the expandable container first side, theexpandable container second side, the expandable container bottom, orthe expandable container top is substantially perpendicular to theplanar surface of the container front, the container rear, the containerfirst side, the container second side, the container rear, or thecontainer top when in the expanded form.
 10. The expandable sheltersystem of claim 1, wherein the actuation system comprises a roofactuation system, and the expandable container section comprises atleast the expandable roof.
 11. The expandable shelter system of claim10, wherein the expandable roof comprises one of the container front,the container rear, the container first side, or the container secondside.
 12. The expandable shelter system of claim 1, wherein theactuation system comprises a floor actuation system, and the expandablecontainer section comprises at least the expandable floor.
 13. Theexpandable shelter system of claim 12, wherein the expandable floorcomprises one of the container front, the container rear, the containerfirst side, or the container second side.
 14. The expandable sheltersystem of claim 1, wherein the expandable container section comprisesthe expandable roof and the expandable floor, the actuation system iscoupled to the system container and the expandable roof; and an otheractuation system coupled to the system container and the expandablefloor.
 15. The expandable shelter system of claim 14, wherein a planarsurface of the expandable roof is adjacent and parallel to a planarsurface of the expandable floor when in the collapsed form.
 16. Theexpandable shelter system of claim 14, wherein a planar surface of theexpandable roof is substantially parallel and nonadjacent to a planarsurface of the expandable floor when in the expanded form.
 17. A methodof transitioning the expandable shelter system of claim 1 between thecollapsed form to the expanded form, comprising: pressurizing ahydraulic cylinder of the actuation system in a push direction; andtranslating a rod from a cavity defined by the hydraulic cylinder suchthat a length of the actuation system expands and transitions theexpandable container section from the collapsed form to the expandedform.
 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising: pressurizing thehydraulic cylinder of the actuation system in a pull direction; andretracting the rod into the cavity of the hydraulic cylinder, such thatthe length of the lifting arm retracts and transitions the expandablecontainer section from the expanded form to the collapsed form.
 19. Themethod of claim 17, further comprising: depressurizing the hydrauliccylinder of the actuation system; and retracting the rod into the cavityof the hydraulic cylinder, such that the length of the lifting armretracts and transitions the expandable container section from theexpanded form to the collapsed form.